Contents tagged with Germany

  • Potential Trump-Putin deal on Nord Stream 2 raises concerns in Berlin

    Reports are surfacing of behind-the-scenes negotiations between the Americans and Russians discussing the potential reactivation of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline as part of a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed this development, hinting at an opportunity for American investors to acquire and utilize Nord Stream 2 to send Russian gas, previously purchased, back into Europe.

    “A good development, not a bad one,” said one acquaintance, suggesting that …

  • German authorities seize tanker tied to Russian 'Shadow Fleet'

    German customs have seized the Panamanian-flagged tanker, Eventin, currently anchoring near the island of Rügen, according to Der Spiegel. The tanker carries approximately 100,000 tons of crude oil valued at €40 million. European authorities have identified the vessel as part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” allegedly used to circumvent Western sanctions. As per the publication, the confiscation of the tanker and its valuable cargo took place on March 14. The vessel’s flag was subsequently …

  • Germany pledges €11 billion in additional military aid to Ukraine

    On Wednesday, March 19, Germany's Finance Ministry informed the Bundestag's budget committee of its decision to allocate €11 billion in additional military aid to Ukraine. This information comes from a letter sent by State Secretary Sarah Ryglewski.

    According to the document, Germany's Finance Minister, Jörg Kukies, plans to approve an extraordinary expenditure of €2.547 billion for the current year. Alongside other financial resources, the available funds will total €3 billion.

    Moreover, …

  • Germany extradites former Ukrainian tax official accused of corruption and fraud

    Germany has extradited a high-ranking tax official back to Ukraine, wanted for his alleged involvement in corruption schemes. The official fled Ukraine at least two years ago. As announced by the Ukrainian Office of the Prosecutor General on Wednesday, March 5, Germany has handed over the suspect, a former deputy head of the tax administration in the Poltava region, accused of aiding in abuse of office and forgery of official documents. The official had been on the wanted list for over two …

  • Germany poised to block Nord Stream 2 amid U.S.-Russia negotiation concerns

    Germany is set on blocking the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from becoming operational, as it could be part of ongoing discussions between the U.S. and Russia. The country's government is taking assertive steps to prevent the launch of Nord Stream 2 as a potential component of clandestine U.S.-Russia negotiations.

    Germany's government is concerned about the prospect of this pipeline being incorporated into a broader agreement involving Russian gas supplies to Europe, notes the German newspaper Bild. …

  • German leaders push to unblock Ukraine aid amid rising U.S.-Ukraine tensions

    Germany's Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has called for the swift allocation of €3 billion for Ukraine, emphasizing Europe's and Germany's support for the nation. Amid a dispute between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Habeck, representing the Green Party, urged Europe and Germany to act promptly, as reported by Spiegel.

    He specifically urged the issuance of €3 billion to bolster Ukraine’s defense. "Germany and Europe stand by Ukraine. We will not let them …

  • German authorities arrest 18-year-old Russian national over alleged plot against Israeli embassy

    In the eastern German state of Brandenburg, which borders Berlin, an 18-year-old Russian national has been arrested on suspicion of preparing a serious politically motivated act of violence posing a threat to the state, according to local Brandenburg police.

    AFP reports that the arrest took place on February 20th, in the district of Dahme-Spreewald, with the involvement of federal police, Brandenburg's criminal investigation office, Berlin police, and special forces. On February 21st, an …

  • Germany to supply Ukraine with 6,000 advanced AI-powered kamikaze drones

    Germany has announced the delivery of 6,000 advanced HX-2 kamikaze drones to Ukraine, manufactured by the German defense tech company Helsing.

    These drones, equipped with artificial intelligence, are designed to target Russian artillery, armored vehicles, and command posts, Bild reported on Thursday, February 13.

    The initial announcement about supplying AI-based strike drones to the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Helsing was made in November 2024. Bild initially reported it, and it was later …

  • German investigators probe Russian link in widespread car vandalism case

    A shocking series of sabotage acts in Germany has been traced back to Russian handlers, according to a report by Der Spiegel. The perpetrators damaged over 270 cars across various regions using construction foam, sticking decals featuring Economy Minister Robert Habeck on car windows. Initially mistaken for environmental activists, the trail of evidence reportedly leads back to Moscow. The attacks appeared to be orchestrated to incite hatred towards the Green Party and their candidate for …

  • Germany increases Russian LNG imports via EU channels

    Germany continues to play a pivotal role in importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia into the European Union, as highlighted in a report released on Tuesday, January 28, by the German environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH).

    According to the document, the state-owned German energy company SEFE imported over six times more LNG to the EU last year compared to 2023.

    The data were provided by the analytics company Kpler. These figures reveal that 5.66 billion cubic meters …